Denver beat out Houston, Atlanta, Boston and Minneapolis as one of the “rattiest” cities in the United States in a recent survey.

Orkin, one of the nation’s largest pest control companies, lists Denver as the 12th “Rattiest City” in the nation, just behind Dallas-Fort Worth in their Top 20 list.

Chicago came in first place as the “rattiest,” on the list released Monday.

The numbers were based on the amount of rodent treatments the company performed in 2013.

According to a 2013 Orkin survey, one-third of Americans saw a rodent in their home in the last year. Rodents eat between 15 and 20 times a day, so nearly 40 percent of homeowners saw rodents for the first time in kitchens. While rodents are commonly found eating human or pet food, they are also found chewing and gnawing other materials, causing damage to furniture, clothing, wiring, insulation and piping.

“Each city on this list is a major urban area that provides ideal conditions for rats and mice to thrive,” said entomologist and Orkin Technical Services Director Ron Harrison, Ph. D.

Orkin reminds homeowners that it only takes a hole the size of a quarter for a rat to squeeze inside, and a hole the size of a dime for mice. And rodents are more than a nuisance; they also pose severe health threats. They can carry hundreds of pathogens that spread through their urine, droppings and bites.

The company recommends the following tips to help prevent rodents around the home:

Regularly inspect the home – inside and outside – for rodent droppings, rub marks or burrows.

Seal all cracks and gaps around utility penetrations larger than 1/4 of an inch, as well as install weather stripping at the bottom of exterior doors.

Trim overgrown branches, plants and bushes near the home, and consider keeping a 2-foot barrier between any landscaping and the home.

Store all food (including pet food) and garbage properly in sealed containers both indoors and outdoors.

Remove all pet bowls after animals are finished eating, and remove pet waste from the lawn promptly.

Contact a pest professional for assistance managing rodents, as these pests can be dangerous and difficult to control.